Sen. Moran Pays Tribute on the Senate Floor to the Life of Ms. Eliza Walker

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to the life of Ms. Eliza Walker, an Architect of the Capitol employee and long-time staffer at the Senate cafeteria, who passed away at the age of 79.

"Ms. Walker always greeted me and all of her customers with a warm smile, and she and I often visited about our families and the latest happenings in our lives," said Sen. Moran. "She concluded every encounter with me and every customer with, 'Have a blessed day.'"

"There are many individuals whose contributions occur quietly and sometimes without recognition, but the service and kindness and the kind touch, it affects countless lives," continued Sen. Moran. "Ms. Walker lived her life well, showed up every day with integrity, dedication and pride in her work."

"On behalf of the United States Senate, we are grateful for her service, for her example of compassion and for the way she touched many lives with her faith and generosity, concluded Sen. Moran.

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran's Full Remarks

Sen. Moran's full remarks as delivered:

"I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the life of Ms. Eliza Walker. I had the opportunity to first get to know Ms. Walker, I am one who starts my day in the Senate gym and go to there and go to the cafeteria, and I met Ms. Walker at one of the cash register stands in that Senate cafeteria. Almost every morning, three days a week at least, we would have a conversation as I stopped to pay my bill.

"She was a bright light, a good start to anyone's day, and I was saddened recently to hear of her passing.

"Ms. Walker always greeted me and all of her customers with a warm smile, and she and I often visited about our families and the latest happenings in our lives. She concluded every encounter with me and every customer that I saw her with, 'Have a blessed day.'

"She was dedicated to serving others and she always treated everyone with kindness.

"There is lots of people I meet in this Capitol complex and all of them are nice and respectful, and I appreciate that because it is a place that I work and spend a lot of time. I am away from my own family, and I appreciate the kindness of others that compensate for some of those absences.

"While many Americans know the Capitol as a symbol for our democracy, few see the countless public servants who on their daily efforts and in their daily work preserve and sustain this place.

"Ms. Walker was one of those individuals whose professionalism, compassion and work ethic left a positive impact on all who met her.

"Doug Markley, Ms. Walker's supervisor, had this to say about her: 'She was an icon at the Senate, and I miss her here every day. She was a woman of great faith and dedicated to being of service. On many occasions, if she knew I was facing a challenge, she would take my hand or put her hand on my shoulder and say a prayer for me. It was always a welcome gesture of support. It was her belief in doing what was right that was her strength and her selflessness stood out to all who knew her.'

"Ms. Walker was deeply devoted to her family, and I always enjoyed hearing about them in our frequent conversations. A mother to four children, a grandmother to ten grandchildren, a great-grandmother to thirteen great grandchildren, her love for her family was central in her daily life, perhaps only exceeded by her love for her Savior.

"We often discussed our church activities, and I was pleased to learn that she knew many of the same old church hymns that I grew up with.

"Her faith guided her in every aspect of her life. A devoted member of the Vision Church in Washington, D.C., Eliza served as a source of wisdom and counsel, and she was someone who blessed many in that community.

"Wanting to share her faith and wisdom with the next generation, she became a publisher. She was an author in 2017 of her book "Mother's Wits from the Past".

"She dedicated her time and talent and treasure into her work and offered unique perspectives and practical guidance from the life lived well.

"There are many individuals whose contributions occur quietly and sometimes without recognition, but the service and kindness and the kind touch, it affects countless lives. Ms. Walker lived her life well, showed up every day with integrity, dedication and pride in her work.

"On behalf of the United States Senate, we are grateful for her service, for her example of compassion and for the way she touched many lives with her faith and generosity.

"As the scriptures say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' My prayers are with Ms. Walker's family, her friends, her church community and her colleagues.

"She is deeply missed, but her legacy lives on in the hearts of all of us who knew her."

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